1. What is the main purpose behind India's engagement with the Arctic's Northern Sea Route (NSR)?
Answer: A. India is interested in the NSR because it could be a shorter sea route that cuts shipping time and costs between Asia and Europe.
2. What change did the RBI make to the run-off factor under the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) for non-financial entities?
Answer: C. For deposits from non-financial entities such as trusts and partnerships, the RBI cut the run-off factor from 100% to 40%, easing banks' liquidity requirements.
3. What is the Reserve Bank of India's Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) used for?
Answer: C. The SDF lets the RBI soak up excess liquidity from banks without giving collateral, which helps manage inflation and keep monetary conditions stable.
4. What pattern was seen in private banks' hiring in FY25?
Answer: A. Private banks hired more slowly in FY25 while still growing their branch networks, possibly because of digitisation and cost-cutting.
5. As reported by the RBI, what happened to India's Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?
Answer: E. The RBI reported a steep fall in net FDI, which suggests gross inflows stayed strong but outflows or repatriations rose.
6. A fall in the Rupee's Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) signals what?
Answer: A. When the REER declines, the Rupee has weakened in real terms against a basket of currencies, which can help exports but make imports costlier.
7. Which factors helped the Indian economy stay resilient despite global trade tensions?
Answer: C. Strong domestic consumption together with a stable banking sector softened the blow of global trade uncertainty on India's economy.
8. What impact is the 2025 monsoon forecast expected to have on India's agricultural sector?
Answer: C. A normal monsoon is forecast for 2025, which should keep farm production steady and help hold down food inflation.
9. Which climate factors are shaping the 2025 monsoon forecast for India?
Answer: D. The 2025 forecast is influenced by La Niña and the Indian Ocean Dipole, both of which play a major role in setting monsoon patterns.
10. Why does the government's investment in deep-sea initiatives such as 'Samudrayaan' and 'Matsya 6000' matter?
Answer: E. Spending on Samudrayaan and Matsya 6000 is meant to explore and use ocean resources, supporting economic development and resource security.
11. Where did US Vice-President J.D. Vance deliver his address during his four-day India visit?
Answer: B. He spoke at the Rajasthan International Centre.
12. What global growth rate did IMF's April 2025 WEO project for 2025?
Answer: B. Growth falls from 3.3% in 2024 to 2.8% in 2025.
13. What is the name of India's research station in Svalbard?
Answer: D. The notes name Himadri as India's Svalbard station.
14. Which BNS section deals with sexual intercourse under a false promise of marriage?
Answer: C. Section 69 BNS creates this separate offence.
15. What is the LPA of rainfall for 1971-2020, as cited with the 2025 monsoon forecast?